Former New York Gov. George Pataki has revealed that he was diagnosed with a lung condition he believes is connected to his exposure to toxic dust following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in Lower Manhattan.
Pataki, who served as governor from 1995 to 2006, said he was diagnosed with restrictive airway disease within the past five years. He disclosed the diagnosis for the first time in an interview marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks to the New York Post.
The 81-year-old Republican said he considers himself fortunate compared with many of the first responders, recovery workers and others who spent months at Ground Zero after the World Trade Center towers collapsed…